Pannal Golf Club (Harrogate) Ltd

A few updates on the course. Bunker on 7th has now been replaced by humps, which probably make it a half point penalty since they are out of range for all but the biggest hitters. Even if you land there, there is a 50/50 chance of a good lie. Bunkering on the same hole near the green has been remodeled for better drainage. Drainage works on the 10th are all complete - first winter to see the impact. Significant landscaping on the 12th are pushing the tees back and taking out the tree that blocks the fairway. Now you play over the ladies tees, or will next year once it is complete. 18th has also had some drainage works to sort out pooling water and soggy conditions on the putting green. Again first winter in use. A green half course has also been set up for a quick round, although this depends on no one playing the full set up! Anyone not playing the course for a year or so will notice these improvements

Played Pannal on a gloomy heavy day - 14 April 2011 - for the winter fee of £25 as a 65th birthday treat. The course has a very interesting design - Herd/Mckenzie - with plenty of long par 4s, playing over heathland terrain with fir trees lining several fairways and approaches to greens varying from tough to narrow. However, as a premier Open Regional qualifier, it looked tired and bedraggled. The fairways were springy but fairly battered and a bit bare in places, while the secondary tees were somewhat uneven. But the greens were pretty awful - yes, they were full of fertilizer, spiking and had been watered, but uneveness, different grass growths, black stains around the holes, and cups that had been hammered in too far made putting extremely difficult and frustrating. In the US the course would be closed for 18 months and everything relaid, but it would of course be sacrilege to dig up historical greens from 80 or so years ago! Hopefully the summer and some careful nurturing will see it back to a good condition, but it looks tired.

Played in early summer 2008, the day before an Open qualifier was held. Had not visited since being a member c 1977 to 1982 when the course was always in fine condition. I was shocked to see how good the course was still and so enjoyed my return, despite having a faulty Taylormade driver. Had to use a 5 wood from the 2nd onwards. I was further amazed to see that that the course did not appear to have been lengthened at all and this must be remarkable that this course design has stood up to all the improvements in club design. I looked at the Open qualifying scores and few players beat par and there were scores in the 90's. The lovely views, especially towards East Yorks remain completely unaffected. The only negative change was a little road noise from recent road improvements around the 10th hole. The greens on this day were so good that I sought out the greenkeeper to congratulate him so I am surprised to see some odd negative comment. I would suggest that anyone looking at playing at Pannal should have no reservations.

Pannal is scenic but tough and likely to get tougher with plans in progress to sharpen up many areas on the course. This is the sign of a constantly evolving course meeting the challenges of new and better equipment. Course remains an open qualifier - you can get lost in the rough when this is on. Wet winter has meant course is not as good as it might be. However it dries quite quickly and there are no major issue areas. 1st heads off on a relatively dull opening hole, but bunkering near the green stops it being a push over. Best to play for accuracy where the fairway is waisted. Long hitters might even take a fairway wood. On a popular weekend, you need to be prepared for the audience watching you tee off. The second brings on one the Pannal signatures into play - a right to left slope on the fairway. This can result in a tricky 'above the feet' lie for right handers hitting into a part elevated green. Ideally drive right - but avoid the bunkers. Then again play right to counter the slope. Bail out on the left where the rough is at least flat. Part elevated green with bunker on RHS. The third is a little more relaxing par 3. Play long or short, bunkers and a steep slope protect the sides. if you place it on the green first time then you have a birdie or par chance. Removal of some vegatation on the LHS has improved this hole. The forth is for the big hitters. A good drive can set up a fairway wood into the green for this par 5. However anything short brings in extensive bunkering so most lay up and play safe for 3 on the green. Avoid the LHS - gorse, trees and a slope. Once near the green things get easier. The fifth starts to show you what make Pannal so special. A view across to the town and viaduct. Again a severe right to left slope. Slicers can be rewarded with summer roll, the tiger line is straight but beware of the rough. A second shot to the green is possible, but drop it short and the contours punish you very quickly. Again a part elevated green here - larger than it looks. The sixth is often considered the signature hole. A blind tee shot over the gorse. However much of the gorse has been ripped out to be replaced by heather. Apparently this will take some years and is partly aimed to reduce the level of intimidation for those teeing off! Any reasonable strike will get you up on the level but it is a long way into the green. Keep right and at least you have a chance of finding your ball. The seventh will see the removal of the bunker - not sure why, on this dog leg left hole. A good chance of par or better here. Aim for the marker post then play on the RHS to avoid the bunkers. The eighth is a level straight hole but with a 'washboard' fairway so some unpredictable bounces. Trees guard left and right, but again should be OK if you get a good straight drive. The nineth heads over a brow so you need to get the ball in the air. Saying that the fairway is wide and the trick into the green is to play left and allow the contour to bring you onto the green, thus avoiding the bunker. The 10th is a short par 3 played into a tight green with OOB on the LHS and bunkers short. Play long and there is a tricky down hill putt. Winter tee dissapoints. Set low to the RHS - more of a pitching competition. Halfway house is here with toilets. Can be used also when you finish the 7th and start 8th. The 11th is one of the longest holes on the course - very difficult to make the green in two. Ideally drive LHS, otherwise you get caught up in tall trees that guard the green and two fairway bunkers. Off the tee a bunker catches any RH slicers. For most players you need to play position on the second and third shots, and make sure you get on the right tier of the green. The 12th is a long par 4, but not impossible if you keep it on the short stuff. Again big plans here to reposition the tee. At present you can affort to play to the right where the fairway opens up. A large oak tree is right in the middle of the fairway and can be off putting. The 13th is again a long par 5 up hill. Wind conditions can make all the difference. Keep it down the centre. The LHS looks OK, but there are lots of difficult dips and folds. The RHS can see you getting caught up in the trees. Three into the green is a great result. Playing surface is good but beware the short bunkers. The 14th can be easy for the big hitters if the wind is behind you. Play to the LHS to counter the countour and bunker which has a massive face. A good drive should allow a reasonable shot into the green if you get it over the brow. Play long here into the green if you are wary of the bunkers L and R. The 15th is a long par 3 down the hill. Correct club selection is essential. Anything from a 6 iron to a driver depending upon conditions and position of the tee. Short is best for wimps - but will keep you out of trouble for a 4. Play for the green and you have to be accurate because bunkers L and R will not allow you to roll it on from the side. The 16th places you on an elevated tee adjacent to the 6th on top of the hill. Great views. Again a long blind drive - aim for the post. RHS reasonably open. You need two more good shots to get to the green. Green slopes back to front far more than you might think. The 17th is probably the second signature hole - Jocks Corner. A par 3 that you should take care about. The white lower tee position is a nightmare and even the regular position is difficult. You look over the green, but with excessive slopes all around. Selection of the right club is critical, but there are no easy options. Play short and you end up in the rough in the small coll with a steep pitch. Anywhere right and a very severe slope makes any shot onto the green tough. Long brings the OBB into play but might be an option if you hit straight. The LHS is the best play but watch the bunker. Ideally a firm strike into the banking on the LHS to dribble onto the green. The 18th heads back to the club house. Aim for the slim factory chimney left of the fairway - the roll will take you right. The longer the better because short and the fairway gradient is significant. On the RHS a small lake catches slicers. Not impossible to make par here with a good drive and second shot. Bunkers guard L and R at the front of the green. Walk in a few yards to club house for a well deserved drink!

im a member at pannal and am so glad that am. the condition is always great, though the greens can get a bit long and fluffy but all in all good condition. My review of the course: the 1st is a not a remeberal hole and looks quite easy but believe me its not. the 2nd is very tough with a tight tee shot because of the slope of the fairway and a tough green to hit with bunkers on the right and extremerly thick rough,on the left theres a steep bank with ob. the 3rd is in my eyes very tough.but thats just the start there are plenty of great holes including 6,10,11,12,16,17 and 18 All in all a good club and the pro shop and clubhouse is great

Played Pannal on 15th of April on the reduced rate of £35. Facilities are excellent- practice ground where you can warm up with free range balls and a good net. Great views and a super clubhouse with well-equipped changing rooms. The course itself I am sad to say was very underwhelming. The greens were long and unkempt (2 members playing behind us in a competition joked they couldn't see where the fairways ended and the greens began) and the condition was pretty ragged. The course design is typically parkland with some nice holes (6th,17th) and some quite bland ones. Overall the condition was very disappointing which for a place of Pannal's reputation I find strange (especially given the recent good weather. High marks for the facilities but disappointed by the course itself.

Here is a course that offers just about everything a golfer could wish for - well designed course, well designed holes using man made hazards and nature to great effect, bunkers strategicaly placed to make you think a bit more, some visually intimidatiing shots, good true consistent greens, well maintained fairways and tee beds. Some course you play you will leave thinking one or two holes are realy good, at Pannal you leave remembering nearer to half of them. The 17th is a terrific par 3, the 6th visually is as intimidating a tee shot as you could find. The 2nd leaves the hardest of 2nd shots in to the green should you stray left of centre off the tee. The 3rd and 10th are super holes to look at from the tee, both of which offer little or nothing to anyone missing the greens. The 11th (from memory) needs you to shape your shot off the tee to be in the best position. The list goes on. All of this is set amongst stunning Harrogate countryside with York Minster rising in the background. Off course the facilities are of good quality. Catering was excellent, locker rooms fine, pro-shop well stocked with a warm welcome to those who venture in. Practice greens are in the same condition as those on the course - how many times do you visit courses where they are totally different to what's out there? All in all, well worth more than a single visit.

Invited to play Pannal as part of a competition in September 2006. Course was in top condition and you can see why it hosts Open qualification seesion. I played out of my skin on the first nine, but the course got the better of me on the return leg. Plenty of interest, particularly the 6th when you get in amongst the gorse. The 17th is also tricky being a 'go for it' shot onto a thin green with OOB or ravines around. Practise facilities over the road, but limited to fair weather and light - it's a field. Putting green by large club house. Had been warned of snobbery at the club, but none in evidence when I played. If you are invited to play - don't turn it down

I have played(Royal)Pannal as it is locally known twice now, once in summer and once in winter. Both times the course has been presented in very good condition. The greens are consistent and well drained - no temporaries in winter and the course is a good mix of both tree lined holes and more open parkland style. Particularly interesting is the 6th with its blind tee shot over gorse buhes and the seventeenth - a challenging long par three with lovely views, often into a stiff wind.

Visited Pannal in May 2003. The course was very attractive and in the main i would agree with the comments made by the previous subsciber. It is quite demanding and is quick to punish anything wayward but if you are hitting straight presents few problems, at least until you get to the 6th and then again at the last three holes. Bit dissapointed with the quality of the greens. A few of them were looking a bit threadbare and quite a few more were in need of a good cut. Overall though a good experience and i guess that in the height of summer, when the greens were better, it would be a stern test for the average player. 7.5/10

The clubhouse and practice facilities at Pannal are first class, but that is not what this place is about. This place is about a golf course that I would rate as one of the best inland courses I've played. It is a masterpiece of design, very tough, but it challenges the golfer in a subtle way. The lie of the land, the positioning of the greens and the superb bunkering are what makes this a tricky course. It is however fair, if you are striking the ball well, you should score well. Every hole on this course is a gem, there isn't one weak hole (another sign of a top class course) but worth an extra mention are the 2nd with a devilishly tricky second shot, the 6th which requires a mighty tee shot (from the tee all you can see is 150 yards of gorse, from the top of the 20 odd foot lookout by the tee all you can see is 150 yards of gorse!), the 10th is a lovely short hole with a very welcoming halfway house by the green, the 17th is an amazing hole probably the best par 3 I've ever played 200+ yards that's mostly carry, and the 18th is a very nice hole to finish off a most enjoyable round. The setting is beautiful with heather, gorse and pine abound and the views stunning. The people who design some of these ugly penal 'American style' new courses should come to Pannal to see how well proper design looks and plays. I can't wait to go back - 9.5/10